Fire destroys home of Albany firefighter

July 26, 2007

Dougherty County -- A candle started the fire in the Sylvester Road home of James Brown Wednesday afternoon. His wife and children left the candle burning by mistake and were not home when the fire erupted.

Brown returned home this morning from a church conference in New York. There's not much left to salvage.

His fellow firefighters are coming together to help him in his time of trouble. "I can replace the furniture and everything else. I just want to thank God my family was safe," Brown said.

"From a department standpoint, we have asked our employees if they want to give a love offering, to our fellow firefighter, to take that money up and we'll give it to them to use as he needs to get back on his feet," said Albany Fire Chief James Carswell.

The Red Cross provided the Browns a place to stay for the next couple of days.

Brown says it feels a little odd to be on the other side of a fire, but he's glad for all the kindness people are showing his family.

Children play non-competitive baseball to grow teamwork skills (Source: WALB)

Some children with special needs hit the baseball diamond for their fourth season today! The Challenger League, a Leesburg-based non-profit, gives children with special needs the opportunity to play non-competitive sports with each other.

Some children with special needs hit the baseball diamond for their fourth season today! The Challenger League, a Leesburg-based non-profit, gives children with special needs the opportunity to play non-competitive sports with each other.